5 Reasons to Encourage Your Kids to Play a Musical Instrument

Disclosure: In any review for a product or service, products or compensation may have been provided to me to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” and "Terms of Use" tabs for more information.

Music is everywhere: you listen to it in your car and your home. It is in the elevator
at work and the department store in the mall. Chances are you often hear music without
even realizing it. Music breaks the barriers of language, race, space and time, and its
benefits for a prosperous life are innumerable. So the next time you catch your child
banging on your $500 set of pots and pans, let him bang away because your budding
drummer’s future is worth even more.

1. The most obvious advantage of your child learning to play music is that it
   promotes creativity. Music requires using different parts of the brain than analytical
   subjects like math and science. Whether or not your child is a destined virtuoso,
   exercising the creative areas of his or her brain is healthy for your child’s development.
   This artistic outlet provides a positive channel for your children to express themselves.
   They will also find confidence in being able to communicate their emotions more
   effectively and pride in measuring their progress. With music, there are infinite
   opportunities for learning, encouraging your child to constantly strive for improvement.
2. Just like adults, kids can experience stress. School can be overwhelming for
   a young mind, and playing music can help your child release his frustrations. Regular
   practice provides your child an outlet to relax in a routine.
3. You will find that the concentration and coordination involved in learning a
   musical instrument will aid your children as they begin school and participate in sports.
   Learning to read music is like learning another language, and it requires a lot of practice
   and patience in doing so. With each stroke of a piano key or beat of a drum, your child
   comprehends rhythm and builds motor skills that will help him write. Plus, your child
   is learning how to listen to and respect his instructor, which will lead to discipline and
   obedience in school.
4. Music is important for your child’s overall cognitive process. Studies show that
   children who learn musical instruments perform better in
   reading, math, problem solving and verbal skills. This is yet another reason to hand your
   child a guitar when he asks for the video game controller. When your child reads music,
   he will learn to memorize and predict the patterns of notes ahead. As he advances, he
   will begin thinking abstractly and learn to improvise. This is an important life skill, as it
   teaches children how to operate spontaneously in situations that require it.
5. Music lessons are also a great place for your children to make friends and
   connect to people in new ways. If they are involved in group lessons or ensembles, they
   will be exposed to other kids learning the same skills and form bonds over their mutual
   interests. They will help each other grow in their musical pursuits, possibly forming
   bands together as they get older. Your children will carry this ability to socialize and work
   as a team through school, sports, work and relationships.